Shocking even in these dark times

Express-News Editorial Board

Published 2:50 pm, Friday, December 26, 2014

Even in these dark times, when terrorism is commonplace in the world, the massacre of 148 people at a school in Pakistan, including at least 132 children, stands out as a heinous, shocking and senseless act.

Our hearts are with the families of the children and teachers in Peshawar who were methodically murdered by members of the Pakistani Taliban over nine hours. Their families, as well as the other children who somehow survived the assault, have been robbed of loved ones and friends — and for no reason.

The stated rationale, if it can be called that, from the Pakistani Taliban was that the attack was retribution for Pakistan military actions against Taliban strongholds this summer. The Taliban chose a military school as its target. But these children were not participants in any military campaign.

Slaughtering innocents is not retribution, but it is a product of the craven fanaticism of jihad.

Pakistan, a nuclear state, has long been too cozy with terrorists, granting refuge across its borders, undermining anti-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan and India, and tolerating past attacks.

For the stability of the region, and to end such atrocities, it is past time for Pakistan to take a much harder line against terrorism and forge meaningful alliances with its neighbors.